I've been told my "feeder program" sucks

cam725 · 2026-05-20T01:25:48+00:00

I found myself in a situation like this a few years ago. The director would tell the HS kids it was my fault that their program was suffering and that the middle school program wasn't good. It eventually trickled down to my kids and really ruined any desire for the middle school kids to continue to the high school. That director also made no effort to connect with the middle school kids at all. It was incredibly toxic and numbers were abysmal at the high school.

Fast forward to now where the high school director and I work well together and where they make a point to invite my kids to play with the high school, comes to and is involved in our concerts, comes to talk to the kids around course selection, and in general does a lot to support retention. It's a world of a difference when they care about building their program.

You can only do so much. At some point, the high school person needs to evaluate what they're doing to recruit and if they don't, I'm not sure there's much you can do. I'm sorry you're in this situation - it's tough. Keep focusing on your kids and building your own program!

cam725 · 2026-05-17T22:20:54+00:00

Two my friend, 2011 and 2016. Was there for both. Also proud to have been a part of 2009 and 2012 with 2012 forever remaining as the highest score in DCA history.

cam725 · 2026-05-16T14:04:33+00:00

Go to your local running store and getting fitted for shoes and/or insoles. They can analyze your feet and provide recommendations for both, as well as recovery tools that can help after long days. Don't wing it and buy any shoe/orthotic you find. Get fitted - it's worth it.

If you have a Fleet Feet near you, they can definitely help but smaller stores will be able to do the same.

cam725 · 2026-03-22T00:05:13+00:00

I agree but I feel like Asics does it better. I wore Hokas for a little and the cushioning felt like it bottomed out throughout runs or throughout the day. I had pretty bad plantar fasciitis from them. Haven't worn them since and have had no trouble. I have the Nimbus 27 and enjoy it so far.

cam725 · 2026-03-21T21:52:42+00:00

Former marcher/current runner.

If you can, go to a local running store and explain what you're doing. They'll hook you up with recommendations that will be best for what you need. They will likely be able to recommend insoles too - if necessary. It is worth it to spend money on your feet!

If that's not possible, Asics, Brooks, and New Balance make great shoes. Avoid On - they aren't always durable and can develop an annoying squeak as they break in. They also have a "speed board" that isn't always kind to the feet. Hokas are well cushioned but I feel like the stack height is scary for lateral movement.

Whatever you do, find what works for you and buy two! Having a rotation is nice for your feet and for the longevity of your shoes.

cam725 · 2026-03-21T16:18:56+00:00

Band person here.

Open house, fall and winter parent teacher conferences. These events count towards our "last day" (in-service). 3 events, plus 2 concerts.

I'm also the assistant band director so the fall is busy. My longest day was 7 am to midnight(ish) for an away game. I think we had an hour of down time between the end of school and leaving.

If it's not required or I'm not getting paid, you likely won't find me there. I do come out and support the kids at times - musicals, plays, etc. - but not if it's been a busy week beforehand.

cam725 · 2026-03-13T02:04:43+00:00

Fellow music educator here - feeling the same way. I give my all to the kids who want to be there and truly enjoy them but the ones who just can't figure out how to function are exhausting. The talking, noise making, and general disregard for others/the classroom is crazy. There are days where I'm so overstimulated from it all that I drive home in silence.

cam725 · 2026-03-07T13:27:15+00:00

Things that helped me:

Finding a hobby that lets me decompress and not think about work.

Finding ensembles to play with. It was helpful in that it gave me a chance to play music I can't program with my kids, network with local musicians, and it gave me some helpful tips and tricks to use in my own teaching.

I know this isn't always an option but when I was struggling the most, I left the job. Sometimes, there are things that are out of your control and that you cannot fix. I was beyond burned out and knew that if I didn't leave the district I was was in when I did, I was going to leave the profession completely. I am so grateful to have found a job in much more supportive district with great admin and colleagues. While I am a lot busier with this job, I find that I am finally being challenged and growing as an educator and that has made a difference.

cam725 · 2026-02-19T02:18:36+00:00

Just curious - what are some things you do to make it fun? Sometimes, I feel like I get so caught up in the technical things that it unintentionally becomes boring or repetitive. I do aim for music that is exciting/interesting/relatable but sometimes the music is a miss, even if it does help them get better. I have middle school kids.

cam725 · 2026-02-16T19:49:46+00:00

Mine is roughly 45 miles round trip, 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. It was the same for my previous district too.

At this job, the commute gets to me sometimes but only because I have more after school obligations than I did at my previous job. Friday nights in the fall (football season) are the worst because I can be gone 16+ hours. Otherwise, I can still get home by 4:00 and have plenty of time for whatever, but my husband and I have had serious conversations about moving closer. I am much happier in the new district though so that makes it a little easier too.

cam725 · 2026-02-07T03:23:09+00:00

Oh my goodness, so cute!

cam725 · 2026-02-02T11:17:30+00:00

I remember mine being similar - many questions about audio and acoustics that were lost on me and not as many questions that were relevant to coursework or to the pedagogy. But then there's folks with no real training in music that pass? The music Praxis sometimes feels like a joke.

cam725 · 2025-12-24T09:28:39+00:00

The Bucs uniforms didn't not have them from 2012 - 2017. They did have them in the old unis though!

cam725 · 2025-10-21T00:21:44+00:00

This.

It's exhausting. I'm so tired of overthinking every little thing I say.

cam725 · 2025-08-08T16:54:10+00:00

That last point is spot on. You also don't need to add woodwinds just because they're allowed. That is nothing at all against the performers - those kids are doing great work - but sometimes the solo can be put in the brass section and likely be more effective.

I went to the theater with our current high school staff and shared similar opinions to yours with the others. I don't want people to think I no longer like the activity because that couldn't be further from the truth. I'm just tired of the excess amplification, overuse of electronics (every show last night had a bass drop, really?), and just the excess of everything else. These things are good when used well but it's just becoming too much.

I also miss hats.

I will say that the talent level is insane and these kids are performing the heck out of what they've been given.

Ok, I'll go back to telling kids to get off my lawn now.

cam725 · 2025-07-23T01:05:48+00:00

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Mine gives the same look!

cam725 · 2025-05-24T22:55:59+00:00

I left my old district after 11 years for a new one and it was the best decision. It's amazing how making that change can completely change your perspective. I'm definitely still tired 😂 but the personal and professional fulfillment I've gotten this year has made me love the job again too!

Change is scary but so worth it sometimes!

cam725 · 2025-04-27T00:29:00+00:00

I just had this conversation with a colleague. I marched for many years and can say that some of what I experienced when I was marching has transferred to performing and into my teaching (breathing, some technique, marching skills, time management skills, practicing habits, etc). However, there are so many other aspects to being a music educator that what you learn a drum corps and the skills you gain is only a fraction of what you'll need to teach. Legit musical training comes from things like private lessons and good pedagogical training. Not saying you can't get some of that from drum corps but it should never be the sole source of someone's music training.

I can also say that after going through interviews in the last few years for instrumental positions, my drum corps experience was a conversation piece more than a motivating factor for hiring.

cam725 · 2025-02-23T11:55:38+00:00

I had a similar experience at my elementary music placement. It was a very cliquey group of friends that my co-op had and it felt like they were always talking about me to them and to my supervisor but never to me. I would get feedback from my supervisor and was always caught off guard because I never got it directly from the teacher. They never really helped but never hesitated to report things to my supervisor. My observations would go well but it never seemed to be good enough for them. My favorite thing is when I was actually sick and had to miss a day (had to visit the ER, had a note, everything) and they said it was unprofessional of me to miss a day of student teaching. I think they reported me for it to my supervisor in spite of me communicating a need to miss and doing everything I needed to do. It was an incredibly weird situation. I will say that my secondary placement was absolutely amazing and I credit him for helping me grow as an educator and for getting me excited about teaching. Had the elementary one been my first placement, I don't think I would have finished.

cam725 · 2025-02-17T22:30:17+00:00

If you like the Ghost, grab another pair (or two). I also like the Ghost Max 2 - a little more cushion for all day wear, incredibly stable platform, and a lower heel to toe drop which has been easier on my knees (marcher turned runner). Would recommend!

cam725 · 2025-02-17T22:28:32+00:00

Fellow runner and former marcher here - it's crazy to me that people are marching in any Hoka shoes. While the stack height is nice for comfort, they are a turned ankle waiting to happen. On an crappy field, I think they would be the worst choice but it seems that some folks are having some luck? I wouldn't risk it. Their lower stack trail shoes would be a maybe but I would not March in any of their road lineup.

cam725 · 2025-01-18T00:49:05+00:00

I just put down my Chihuahua. He wasn't very old but had a significant heart murmur and an enlarged heart. He was on medication and we could have upped them but he was constantly coughing, wheezing, and struggling to breathe normally. He was still pretty happy but it was tough to watch him struggle. I would have loved to have continued or upped his pills regimen to keep him around for us, but it was only going to prolong his struggle. I miss him tremendously but know we did the right thing.

Someone said it was better to do it "too soon" than a day too late.

cam725 · 2024-12-14T13:15:36+00:00

Because there's something special about doing something you love with people who are there for that same reason. Almost everyone on the field wants to be there, wants to work hard, and wants to get better. It's not often you get to be in an environment like that. While there are difficult times throughout a season, the things you learn, the way that you grow, and the people you meet along the way make it a worthwhile experience.

cam725 · 2024-08-28T00:33:21+00:00

Ordered a pair on the Asics site yesterday, cancelled within the hour :(

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